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Delayed financial aid a distraction for scholars at NMC
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Posted on Sep 21 2011
Persistent delays in the release of financial aid from the local government’s scholarship programs is taking its toll on Northern Marianas College students, particularly students from Rota and Tinian, according to a college official.
Leo Pangelinan, dean of Student Services, said that many of the relocated students are experiencing difficulties in paying for rent and, in worse cases, have run out of food on their tables.
“Financial aids is always an issue…but it’s particularly challenging this year because we’re seeing a constant delay in the issuance of awards from the local government,” he said.
Pangelinan said that many NMC students heavily rely on financial assistance checks from both the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance and the CNMI Scholarship Office. Because of the uncertainties in the issuance of financial assistance, students end up with nothing to meet obligations and needs, he added.
Many students, he said, have even been threatened or ejected from their apartments as a result of their unpaid obligation. NMC, in consideration of their situation, could only provide them a short extension to pay for tuition, books, and other fees.
Pangelinan said the college considers Pell grant as the most reliable collateral for students. The program is federally funded but is directly administered by NMC. He said about 70 to 80 percent of NMC students receive Pell grants, with a maximum aid of $2,775 per semester.
He said the college does not accept approved applications from SHEFA and CNMI Scholarship Office as collateral because of the “uncertainties” of the financial awards and potential changes from time to time in the programs’ policies and regulations.
